What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your Samsung laptop back to the state it left the factory — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is useful when your laptop runs slowly, won't start properly, has a virus you cannot remove, or you are selling it and want to erase your data completely.

The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your laptop model and internet speed. You will need your Windows password, a working internet connection, and external storage (a USB drive or external hard drive) if you want to back up files first. Once you start the reset, you cannot stop it partway through.

Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Windows has a built-in backup tool, or you can copy files manually to a USB drive or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung laptops running Windows use the built-in Windows reset tool, not a Samsung-specific program, so the steps are the same across most Samsung models.
  • You can choose to keep your files and reset only Windows, or erase everything — decide before you start because you cannot change your mind partway through.
  • Back up your files to a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage before you begin, because the reset will delete them if you choose the full wipe option.
  • The reset process requires your Windows password and an active internet connection to read and reinstall Windows.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account and reinstall any programs you use regularly.

Back up your files before you start

The safest way to back up is to copy your important files to an external drive or cloud storage. Plug in a USB drive or external hard drive, then open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar). Navigate to your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders — these hold most personal files. Right-click each folder, select Copy, then paste it onto your external drive.

If you do not have an external drive, use OneDrive (built into Windows) or Google Drive. Sign in to your Microsoft account in Windows Settings, and OneDrive will automatically sync your Documents and Desktop folders to the cloud. You can then read them after the reset if you need them.

Do not skip this step if you chose the "Remove everything" option in the reset process — that choice deletes all your files permanently.

Access the Windows reset tool through Settings

Open the Start menu (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner) and type "Reset this PC" into the search box. Click the result that says "Reset this PC" — this opens the recovery tool built into Windows.

You will see two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." Choose "Keep my files" if you want to erase programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and downloads. Choose "Remove everything" if you are selling the laptop or want a complete wipe. Most people choose "Keep my files" because it is faster and safer.

Click your choice and Windows will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully — if you chose "Remove everything," your files cannot be recovered after this point.

Choose your reset type and confirm

If you selected "Keep my files," Windows will ask whether you want to reinstall Windows from the cloud or from a local file. Choose "Cloud read" if your internet is stable and fast (above 10 Mbps). Choose "Local reinstall" if your internet is slow or unreliable — this uses files already on your laptop and is faster, though it may not fix some system problems.

If you selected "Remove everything," Windows will ask the same question. Again, "Cloud read" is more thorough; "Local reinstall" is faster. For a complete wipe before selling, "Cloud read" is the better choice.

Windows will then show you a summary of what will happen. Review it, then click "Reset" to begin. The process cannot be stopped once it starts, so make sure you are ready.

Let the reset run without interruption

Your laptop will restart several times during the reset. Do not turn it off, unplug it, or close the lid — let it run until you see the Windows login screen. The process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. If your laptop is plugged into power, leave it plugged in. If it is on battery, plug it in now because the reset will drain the battery quickly.

Your screen may go black for several minutes at a time. This is normal. You may also see a spinning circle or a progress bar. Wait for the process to finish.

Once the reset is complete, your laptop will restart and show the Windows setup screen. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account (the email address you use for Windows) or create a local account.

Set up Windows after the reset

After your laptop restarts, Windows will ask you to choose your region, language, and keyboard layout. Select your preferences and click Next. You will then be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you have a Microsoft account (an Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft email address), sign in with that. If not, you can create one or use a local account with just a username and password.

Windows will then read and install updates, which may take 15 to 30 minutes. Let this finish — do not turn off your laptop. Once updates are done, you will see your desktop.

Reinstall the programs you use regularly. Go to the Microsoft Store (the shopping bag icon on your taskbar) or read programs from their official websites. If you backed up files, you can now read them from your cloud storage or copy them from your external drive.

Troubleshooting if the reset fails or gets stuck

If your laptop gets stuck on a black screen or spinning circle for more than 30 minutes, force restart it by holding the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. The reset should resume where it left off. If it does not, try the reset again from the beginning.

If you see an error message during the reset, write down the error code and search for it on the Microsoft support website. Common errors include "0x80070005" (permission problem) and "0x80004005" (system file issue). Most can be fixed by running the reset again or by using Windows Recovery Media, which you can create on another computer using a USB drive and the Windows Media Creation Tool.

If your laptop will not start at all and you cannot reach the Settings menu, you may need to use a recovery USB drive. You can create one on another computer by downloading the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, following the on-screen steps, and then using that USB drive to reset your Samsung laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove a virus?

A factory reset will remove most viruses because it erases all files and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your laptop's firmware (the code that runs before Windows starts). If your laptop still behaves strangely after a reset, run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a free tool like Malwarebytes.

Can I stop the reset once it starts?

No. Once you click "Reset," the process cannot be stopped. If you need to interrupt it, force restart your laptop by holding the power button for 10 seconds, but this may leave your system in an unstable state. Always make sure you are ready before you click the final Reset button.

How long does a factory reset take?

A typical factory reset takes 30 minutes to two hours. "Keep my files" resets are usually faster (30 to 45 minutes). "Remove everything" resets take longer (45 minutes to two hours) because Windows must securely erase all data. Internet speed affects timing — slower connections take longer because Windows must read files from Microsoft's servers.

Do I need a Windows product key after the reset?

No. If your Samsung laptop came with Windows pre-installed, your product key is tied to your hardware. After the reset, Windows will automatically set up when you sign in with your Microsoft account. If you see an "set up Windows" message, wait 24 hours — set up usually happens automatically in the background.

What if I forgot my Windows password?

If you forgot your password, you can reset it before you start the factory reset. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the steps to reset it using your Microsoft account email or a recovery code. If you cannot access your account, you may need to use another computer to reset your password through the Microsoft account website, then return to your Samsung laptop and try again.